Woman arrested after allegedly firing shotgun into man's truck

By Lacie Morrison
lmorrison@mineralwellsindex.com

Leveling a firearm at someone or their property can have serious ramifications with law enforcement. Pulling the trigger can create even more problems as a Mineral Wells woman discovered Saturday night.

Sandra Clements Martin, 57, was arrested early Sunday morning after allegedly firing a shotgun at a 46-year-old man’s pickup, authorities reported.

According to Mineral Wells police reports, officers were dispatched to a residence in the 1700 block of S.W. 9th Avenue at 6:33 p.m. Saturday evening where a male subject alleged Martin shot at his truck.

The man told police he had stored a jet ski and trailer with a neighbor when he lived in the 600 block of N.W. 4th Street. He said he was notified that the neighbor’s house sold and he needed to remove his items, police officials said.

According to the police report, the complainant said he went to the location Friday to remove the trailer but wasn’t able to move the trailer with its flat tire. Authorities reported the complainant said he removed the tires to get them fixed and was informed Saturday the trailer needed to be moved that day.

At the northwest residence, the man reportedly saw Martin with a shotgun on the porch of a home before he became involved in a verbal altercation with another male about moving the trailer. The complainant told authorities he put the other male into a chokehold after he attempted to hit him and said he didn’t want to fight.

Police officials said the victim got into his white 1986 Ford truck when Martin shot at his vehicle. The complainant drove to his father’s home and contacted authorities, police reported. The vehicle sported several holes and was damaged on the driver’s side mirror, the license plate and the upper part of the windshield, among other places. Authorities also said the driver’s side headlight was shot out.

Officials reported detectives worked the scene and obtained a warrant for Martin’s arrest. She was charged with deadly conduct with a firearm and taken into custody Saturday morning at 12:24 a.m. without incident, police said. The charge is a third-degree felony.

According to Palo Pinto County Jail records, she bonded out Monday after posting a $30,000 bond. A phone call placed to Martin’s home late Monday afternoon was not answered.

Car strikes tree, catches fire
A four-door car burst into flames Monday morning one mile south of Mineral Wells after striking a tree, officials reported.

According to Texas Department of Public Safety communications, the department received a call at 3:55 a.m. regarding a one-vehicle collision with a tree on U.S. Highway 281 South one mile south of Mineral Wells.

A DPS official reported the driver, an adult female, was out of the vehicle with injuries but further details were unavailable late Monday afternoon.

The driver of a passing tractor-trailer rig reportedly pulled the victim from the car. According to one first responder, the car was pointing north against the tree, which was reportedly near the roadway.

Mineral Wells firefighters responded to the scene and used 400 gallons of water to extinguish the car fire. The driver was transported to Palo Pinto General Hospital by ground ambulance for treatment. The driver’s condition was not available.

Unattended trash fire
An unattended trash fire required professional assistance to extinguish Friday afternoon, officials reported.

At 4:03 p.m. firefighters were called out to the 2800 block of U.S. Highway 281 South to a controlled fire became uncontrolled. Fire officials reported someone was burning trash and building materials and left the fire unattended.

Firefighters used 600 gallons of water to extinguish the blaze; no injuries were reported.

Burglary
• 900 block of Morton – A business was reported burglarized Saturday with entry made by cutting the gate lock. Various tools, a stereo, microphone and microphone stand were reported stolen. The items were valued at $2,700.

Arrests
The Mineral Wells Police Department reported making the following arrests:

• Thomas Lewis James, 34, of Weatherford, was arrested Sunday for public intoxication.

• Baldemar Perez, 21, of Mineral Wells, was arrested Saturday for racing on the highway.

• Carlos Guerra Ramirez, 21, of Mineral Wells, was arrested Saturday for racing on the highway.

• Misty Lea Robertson, 22, of Mineral Wells, was arrested Friday on two MWPD traffic warrants.

• Douglas Odell Taylor, 41, of Mineral Wells, was arrested Sunday on a MWPD warrant for assault-family violence.

• Andres Vega, 22, of Mineral Wells, was arrested Thursday on five MWPD traffic warrants.

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